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The vote was taken at the end of the board’s Monday afternoon meeting. The resolution will now be sent to leadership of the general assembly and the county’s legislative delegation.

The resolution states that “the Stokes County Board of Commissioners urge the North Carolina General Assembly to take no action and pass no legislation that would legalize hydraulic fracturing or horizontal drilling in North Carolina before it is fully demonstrated that North Carolina public health, waters, land, air, economy, and quality of life can be fully protected from the impacts of allowing shale gas development in the State.”

Jayson Duncan spoke during the public comment session to urge the commissioners to pass the resolution. Following the board decision, Duncan said, “I appreciate the fact that the county commissioners are being proactive on this.”

Mary Kerley, who has spoken to the board a few times about the issue, said she appreciated that the commissioners “after appropriate research made a very pragmatic decision based on the belief that this is not appropriate for this county and this state.”

Linda Hicks, another vocal opponent of fracking, said she expected the resolution would pass after all of the pressure from residents. A group of Stokes County residents have banded together to organize public meetings, meet with legislators, and circulate a petition in opposition to fracking. A website has also been set up: nofrackinginstokes.org.

Fracking opponents are now focusing their efforts on Gov. Bev Perdue in hopes that she will veto any pro-fracking legislation that comes across her desk. Senate Bill 820 quickly passed through the N.C. Senate. Now the House is considering the matter.